SEWELL – Sophie Fontaine was tired of second place.

The Haddonfield Memorial High School senior swimmer was a runner-up three times during last year’s Meet of Champions, taking second in the 100-yard backstroke, 200 freestyle and 200 medley relay.

To say it was a motivator was an understatement.

“It was something I was definitely thinking about every day,” Fontaine said. “(There were times) I’d want to give up, but last year, I remember that feeling. I didn’t want it to happen again.”

Fontaine finally found the top of the podium Sunday when she finished first in the 100-yard backstroke in a personal-best 54.61 seconds at the Gloucester County Institute of Technology.

“It’s a great feeling,” said Fontaine, who also took third in the 200 freestyle. “All my parents and everyone are over there. It’s exciting.”